Riley Mackenzie - Beautifully Done

I nodded in response, been there. The silence thickened. I waited. He had more to get off his chest.

“I’m glad the bastard is dead, too bad it wasn’t years before, and not only for what he put her through, but for the fear in her eyes when she told me about him. It made me sick. And then to think I saw that same look on her face when she bumped into you at the hospital. You can see why I wasn’t exactly feeling the let’s get to know each other. Sorry, it’s the truth. But I’ve had some time to let it all settle, and in doing so, I’ve paid closer attention. I see the relief in her eyes. I can’t explain it, but she’s lighter, softer, she’s happy. And I know it’s not just the freedom of not carrying around the secrets, it’s you. You do that for her. So I’m glad we’ve gotten to know each other and we’re cool…”

I nodded and mumbled, “We’re cool,” unable to get out anything more. His understanding leveled me, but I still wasn’t quite sure where he was going with this. Like mother, like son.

“The other thing I’ve noticed is the change in her smile. Don’t get me wrong, I grew up with a happy mom and this might sound dumb, but that smile is back. The one she reserved for when she talked about my dad, or my imaginary dad or whatever you want to call him. It doesn’t really matter now, does it? Anyway, she made him sound awesome. He had a sick sense of humor and great taste in music. Our house never lacked rock and roll with a kickass beat. I’m pretty sure I celebrated my first birthday with my first pair of drumsticks.” He smiled and tapped the table with his fingers mocking a drumbeat.

My lips raised, remembering how his mother loved to rock out and couldn’t help but ask, “You still play?” Tack on the drums, god, I loved this woman. But I wondered how much she told him, if he had any idea where his name came from.

“Not much anymore, no time. But I’d definitely consider getting back into it. Every time I jammed, she’d talk about your band.” That sounded vague. “And then her face would light up with that smile. She always said my dad loved a good time and never sweated the small stuff. He rolled with the punches. He was the guy who’d have your back, no matter what. He considered his friends family.” He paused for a swig before he kept going.

“You know she was a nut when it came to fresh air? Serious. She harped on how he’d always pick the outdoors any day of the week over inside. Only chance I had to stay inside was if I was studying or practicing. No joke, my ass was hiking, biking, and surfing by seven. Most of how I grew up, what I learned to be important, it was all a reflection of him. Mom made sure of it. And I have to give it to her, she created a kickass role model. It was obvious she loved him—you can’t fake a smile like that.

“Look, I’m not going to lie. As a kid, I never really thought too hard about my mom’s love life. Hell, I don’t really want to think about it now, or ever for that matter.” He involuntarily shuddered and I chuckled. I had Maggie, yeah, I got it. “That being said, I get that she’s gorgeous and she’s cool, my buddies not-so-subtly reminded me daily, yet she rarely dated. Or at least if she did it couldn’t have been that serious, since I never met any of them. Besides, between work and how involved she was in my life, she barely had time for herself. The past few years I started feeling guilty about it, but I guess my consolation was knowing she’d get her life back once I left for college, and the fact that she had at least had my dad. Part of me thought it was awesome that she wouldn’t settle for less. The next guy would have to be worthy of that smile. So finding out all of it was nothing more than a fantasy … or maybe not. I guess you’re probably wondering why I’m telling you any of this. My point is … she smiles at you that way.”

He raked a hand through his dark hair and dropped his eyes to the table. His relaxed expression faded as I watched him concentrate on swallowing what I could only assume was the same damn lump I was struggling with. I briefly scanned his face before I looked away to give him some time. In that brief second I saw vulnerability, a youthful innocence I had yet to notice. Yeah, he was eighteen, big-time college student, ambitious, driven and most likely going to be a sick surgeon rivaling the likes of his brother one day. But right now in this moment, he was just a kid. A kid looking to find his way.

“At first I was just relieved to see it again, that she finally found someone real who could make her smile like that.” His voice was softer, he sounded embarrassed. “Sorry it took me so long to put the pieces together,” he lifted his eyes and met mine, and there may have been a thin layer of moisture that had formed, “but I finally figured it out. Turns out my dad, my real dad, wasn’t imaginary after all … it was you.”

This time my throat closed and robbed all my ability to speak.

“Hey, you.”

“How is she?” Tal’s voice affected me even over the phone. Yup, I was whipped.

“Physically fine, no pain. But she was seriously pissed when she heard she had to spend the night.”

“That bad, huh? I spoke with King a little while ago, reassured me it was clean break. The case was smooth, textbook actually. She should be good as new in about six weeks. He technically could have discharged her, but I may have mentioned how she could use the rest. I hope you don’t mind?”

Mind? I loved how she took over.

“Mind, not even close. Just the opposite. I can’t thank you enough for pulling strings and taking care of her. Mag’s not exactly the easiest patient, not to mention Molly and her fifty questions. King was great. I’m gonna owe the guy a case of Napa’s finest by the time she gets released.”

The minute we got the call from the emergency room informing us Ma broke her wrist and they were recommending surgery, Tal snapped into Dr. Pryce mode, instructing, ‘no one touches her, tell them to splint it and make her comfortable.’ An old med school friend of hers happened to be a well-known orthopedic surgeon and happened to work at HSS, the premiere Orthopedic Hospital in NYC. That was yesterday. They just served my mother breakfast in recovery; my woman didn’t mess around.

Her breathy chuckle filled the line. “Nah, I’m sure he’s dealt with worse. It’s part of the job. But I’m glad it went well. She was really lucky. It could’ve been so much worse.”

“No shit. King couldn’t believe she didn’t crack both her hips as well. He called her on it when he saw her bruising. She reneged on her first story and fessed up to falling down an entire flight, in the pitch black no less. I can’t believe she didn’t tell us Dad started sundowning. And to think I let her talk me out of round the clock care. Totally my fault, well, it’s no longer up for discussion. It’s done. It starts tonight. She should have known better than anyone she couldn’t handle this solo, but she’s too damn stubborn.”

“Maggie’s not stubborn, she’s a woman in love. It’s what we do.”

Ummph, her words hit hard and deep. I loved her for where she was going, but there was zero chance she’d ever experience this nightmare firsthand. Zero. That’s what living wills were for. But this was not the time or place for that conversation. And definitely not over the phone.

“How’s it going there?”

“Everything’s fine, don’t worry about us.”

Bullshit. As far as timing goes, Mom’s accident couldn’t have been more inconvenient. Dad’s daytime nurse had the day off, so Tal volunteered to stay with him so my sisters and I could all be here. It might have only been hand surgery, but that’s how we rolled. And Charlie, Drew and Andrew didn’t exactly have the same calming touch. Somehow, Tal inherited Emma as well, since nursery school—the one you pay double for, according to my sisters—apparently ends like a month earlier than regular school. Who knew?

“He’s been asking for Maggie, but I’ve been able to distract him. He ate a decent amount and just sat down with Emma to watch a little TV.” It sounded like she was watching two kids instead of one. Damn, this sucked.

“I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, where I want to be.” She was amazing. “Besides the kiddos don’t technically start until July 1st. It’s all logistics this week. Someone else can give them a pep talk and make them feel more important than they are. All they really need is the twenty-five cent tour so they can find the bathroom when they need to vomit after they learn what they’re really in for.”

“Real nice, tough girl. Although, the whole bitch thing is kind of a turn on. Tell you what, when I get back you can practice your pep talk on me, remind me just how important I am while my mouths on-”

“Really, Ace?” Her tone was playful. Who was she kidding—she loved it when I talked dirty. “Is your mind ever NOT in the gutter?”

“Nope.”

She laughed at my candor. I was honest.

“Leave me be and go do the gentlemanly thing and grab your mom and sister’s lunch. Ooh and make it good, you’re in the city, for goodness sake. Mmm, remember Jackson Hole’s burgers?” Like mother, like son. Maybe iron deficiency was hereditary. Ha, she sounded like she was ready to salivate. Actually I was pretty sure she drooled on the phone. I couldn’t help but laugh, she was adorable. “Anyway, I’m sure they’re starved, you were all up so early.”

“What about me? I can tell you for a fact, I’m starved. I haven’t eaten since last night.”

“I’m hanging up, Asher.” I wished I could see her face, I swore I felt the heat of her blush through the phone. “Send Maggie my love.”